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8840 N Ramsey Blvd, Portland, OR 97203
info@portlandboxes.com
We are on a mission to prove that sustainable packaging can be affordable, reliable, and effortless for every business.
Portland Boxes started with a simple observation: thousands of perfectly good boxes were being thrown away every day while businesses were paying premium prices for new ones. We decided to bridge that gap.
Today, we operate an 80,000 square foot facility in North Portland where we process, inspect, and redistribute over 200,000 boxes every month. Our team of 45+ dedicated professionals ensures that every box meets our quality standards before it reaches your doorstep.
We are not just a box company. We are a sustainability company that happens to work with boxes. Every box we save from the landfill means fewer trees cut down, less water consumed, and lower carbon emissions for our community.
Circular Economy
These principles guide every box we handle, every relationship we build, and every decision we make.
Every decision we make starts with one question: how does this help the planet? From our solar-powered warehouse to our electric delivery fleet, we walk the talk. We measure our carbon footprint quarterly and publish the results for full accountability. Our procurement policies prioritize vendors who share our environmental commitment, and we continually invest in cleaner technology to reduce our operational impact.
We hire locally, source locally, and invest locally. Our partnerships with Portland nonprofits have helped create over 40 green jobs in underserved neighborhoods. We run a paid internship program with Portland Community College, sponsor annual neighborhood cleanup events, and donate boxes to local charities and schools. When Portland thrives, we thrive.
We publish our environmental impact reports quarterly. You will always know exactly where your boxes come from and where non-reusable materials end up. Our box grading system is clearly documented with photos, our pricing is posted publicly, and our sustainability data is available to anyone who asks. We believe trust is earned through openness.
Our 5-point inspection process ensures every box we sell meets strict standards. We never compromise on quality, even at used prices. Every box is checked for structural integrity, cleanliness, print condition, flap strength, and dimensional accuracy. Boxes that do not pass go straight to recycling — never to a customer.
We constantly push the boundaries of what a used box company can be. Our proprietary Eco Calculator helps businesses quantify their environmental savings. Our automated inventory system tracks every box from intake to delivery. And our refurbishment techniques extend box life by up to 40%, keeping materials in circulation longer than anyone thought possible.
We do not just sell boxes — we build lasting partnerships. Every client gets a dedicated account representative who understands their unique packaging needs. We offer flexible scheduling, custom sorting, volume-based pricing tiers, and proactive inventory management so you never run short. Your success is our success, and we back that promise with our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Everything we do is anchored in a clear purpose. These guiding principles shape our culture, operations, and the relationships we build.
To eliminate packaging waste in Portland by creating the most efficient, accessible, and affordable circular box economy in the Pacific Northwest. We exist to give every corrugated box a second, third, and fourth life — saving businesses money while preserving the natural resources that make Oregon beautiful.
We accomplish this through rigorous quality control, innovative logistics, community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. Every box we handle represents a choice: landfill or reuse. We choose reuse, every single time.
We envision a future where no usable box ever reaches a landfill. A future where the circular economy is not a niche concept but the standard way businesses operate. We see Portland as the proving ground for a nationwide shift in how companies think about packaging.
By 2030, we aim to divert 10 million boxes annually from waste streams, expand our model to five additional metropolitan areas, and demonstrate that profitability and environmental responsibility are not just compatible — they are inseparable.
In the spring of 2019, our founders were working at a Portland warehouse when they noticed something troubling: every week, hundreds of perfectly good corrugated boxes were being crushed, baled, and sent off for recycling — or worse, hauled to the landfill. These boxes had plenty of life left. Some had only been used once.
The math was simple but powerful. A new standard shipping box costs $2 to $4. A used box in excellent condition could serve the same purpose at a fraction of the cost. And every box reused meant one fewer box manufactured — saving trees, water, energy, and carbon emissions in the process.
Armed with a borrowed pickup truck, a rented garage in North Portland, and relationships with a handful of local businesses willing to try something new, Portland Boxes was born. The first month, we moved 200 boxes. By the end of the year, we were handling 5,000 per month.
The early days were scrappy. We sorted boxes by hand under fluorescent garage lights, made deliveries before dawn, and spent evenings cold-calling businesses to explain our vision. But word spread fast. Portland businesses were hungry for an affordable, sustainable packaging option — and we were the only ones offering it.
Our 45+ team members are the heartbeat of Portland Boxes. We hire for passion, train for excellence, and foster a culture where every person feels ownership of our mission.
Every team member earns a living wage starting well above Oregon minimum. Full-time employees receive health insurance, dental coverage, paid time off, and a retirement plan with company matching. We believe that taking care of our people is non-negotiable.
We invest in continuous learning. Every new hire completes our two-week onboarding program covering box grading, sustainability practices, safety protocols, and customer service. We offer tuition assistance for team members pursuing further education and promote from within whenever possible.
Our team reflects the diversity of Portland. We actively recruit from underrepresented communities, partner with workforce development programs, and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. Over 60% of our leadership team are people of color or women, and we are proud of that.
We are deeply rooted in Portland. Our community programs go beyond business — they are about building a better city for everyone.
We donate thousands of boxes annually to Portland-area nonprofits including Oregon Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and local shelters. Any registered 501(c)(3) can apply for our Community Box Program, which provides free or deeply discounted boxes for charitable use. In 2025, we donated over 15,000 boxes to 30+ organizations.
Our Eco Education initiative visits Portland-area schools to teach students about recycling, sustainability, and the circular economy. We run hands-on workshops where kids build projects from recycled cardboard and learn how their choices impact the environment. We have reached over 3,000 students across 25 schools since 2022.
Through our partnership with Portland Community College, we offer paid internships and apprenticeships in warehouse operations, logistics, and sustainability management. Since 2021, we have hired 12 interns into full-time positions. We also participate in the city's Second Chance employment program, providing job opportunities for individuals re-entering the workforce.
Every Earth Day, we sponsor and organize the Portland Green Sweep, a city-wide cleanup event. Our team and over 200 volunteers collect litter, recyclables, and abandoned waste from neighborhoods across the city. In 2025, we removed 8.5 tons of waste from Portland streets, parks, and waterways.
From startups shipping their first product to established manufacturers moving thousands of units daily, we serve businesses of every size across a wide range of industries.
From small Etsy sellers to mid-size online retailers, we supply boxes that protect products during shipping while keeping packaging costs low. Our diverse size inventory means you always find the right fit, reducing void fill and material waste.
Breweries, bakeries, farms, and food producers across Portland rely on our food-grade boxes for distribution. We maintain strict hygiene standards and offer specialty sizes for wine bottles, produce crates, and bulk food packaging.
Heavy-duty gaylord boxes, double-wall corrugated containers, and custom industrial packaging for factories, machine shops, and production facilities. We stock boxes rated for loads up to 2,500 pounds.
Families and businesses making local or long-distance moves choose our affordable, high-quality moving boxes. We offer bundled moving kits with wardrobe boxes, dish packs, and book boxes at significant savings over retail.
Clinics, dental offices, veterinary practices, and medical supply companies trust our clean, inspected boxes for shipping sensitive equipment and supplies. We understand compliance requirements and provide documentation on request.
Boutiques, gift shops, and retail chains use our boxes for backroom storage, inventory management, and customer shipping. We offer recurring delivery schedules to keep your stockroom organized without over-ordering.
Food banks, shelters, community centers, and charitable organizations receive discounted rates on boxes for donations, event supplies, and program materials. We believe in supporting the organizations that support Portland.
Farms, nurseries, and garden centers across the Willamette Valley use our boxes for produce packaging, plant shipping, and agricultural supply distribution. We stock wax-free and ventilated options for perishable goods.
From a garage startup to Portland's leading used box supplier, every milestone reflects our commitment to growth, sustainability, and community impact.
Portland Boxes launched from a two-car garage in North Portland with one pickup truck, a handful of local business contacts, and the conviction that used boxes could become a viable, eco-friendly business.
When COVID-19 shut down much of Portland, businesses scrambled for affordable packaging to meet the e-commerce boom. We introduced contactless pickup and delivery, growing our client base by 120% in a single year.
Moved into an 8,000 square foot warehouse on N Ramsey Blvd, hired our first full-time employees, and launched the proprietary A-D box grading system that became an industry standard in the region.
Expanded to three delivery trucks serving the entire Portland metro area. Launched the Box Buyback program, paying businesses for surplus boxes and creating a true closed-loop supply chain.
Reached the milestone of one million boxes diverted from landfills. Partnered with 200+ local businesses, hired our 30th team member, and began offering custom box solutions.
Named Portland's Top Green Business by the Portland Business Journal. Expanded our warehouse to 15,000 square feet and introduced our refurbishment program, extending box life by up to 40%.
Launched the Eco Calculator and Custom Solutions division. Grew to 45+ employees, expanded to 80,000 square feet, and set a goal of diverting 3 million boxes from landfills.
Began serving businesses across the greater Pacific Northwest with satellite operations in Salem and Vancouver, WA. On track to become the largest used box supplier on the West Coast.
We are honored to be recognized by the organizations and publications that champion sustainability and business excellence in Oregon.
Portland Business Journal
Oregon Environmental Council
Sustainable Portland
Portland Chamber of Commerce
Metro Regional Government
Portland Nonprofit Network
These are not aspirational targets — they are measurable results from our daily operations. We track, report, and improve on these numbers every quarter.
Of all materials that enter our facility, only 0.7% cannot be reused or recycled. The rest finds new life as reusable boxes, recycled paper products, or compost material.
Every year, we intercept over 2.4 million boxes that would otherwise end up in landfills or premature recycling, extending their useful life by an average of 3 additional uses.
By reusing boxes instead of manufacturing new ones, we save approximately 7 gallons of water per box — totaling over 16.8 million gallons annually. That is enough to fill 25 Olympic swimming pools.
Our warehouse operations run on 80% renewable energy through a combination of rooftop solar panels and Portland General Electric's Green Future program.
Reusing boxes instead of manufacturing new ones saves approximately 17 trees per ton of cardboard. Our operations preserve an estimated 40,800 trees every year.
Each ton of reused cardboard prevents 1.5 tons of CO2 emissions from manufacturing. Our annual operations avoid approximately 3,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
We do not believe in transactional relationships. When you work with Portland Boxes, you get a dedicated partner invested in your success. Our account managers learn your business inside and out — your shipping volumes, seasonal fluctuations, size preferences, and growth trajectory.
We offer flexible arrangements to fit every business model. Whether you need a one-time delivery of 50 boxes for a move or a standing weekly order of 5,000 units for your fulfillment center, we build a plan that works. Volume discounts kick in automatically, and we proactively adjust your inventory recommendations as your needs evolve.
Our Box Buyback program turns your surplus packaging into revenue. Instead of paying for cardboard disposal, you earn money selling your used boxes back to us. It is a true closed-loop system that benefits your bottom line and the environment simultaneously.
And if anything ever goes wrong, our Portland-based support team is a phone call away. No automated menus, no offshore call centers — just real people who care about getting it right. We back every order with our satisfaction guarantee: if a box does not meet the grade we promised, we replace it free of charge.
We learn about your business, packaging needs, volume requirements, and sustainability goals.
We build a tailored plan with pricing, delivery schedule, and recommended box sizes and grades.
Your dedicated account manager sets up your profile, delivery preferences, and communication channels.
We continuously monitor your usage, suggest cost-saving adjustments, and scale with you as you grow.
Quarterly reports show your environmental savings — boxes reused, CO2 avoided, water conserved, and trees saved.
We have built a network of partners who share our commitment to sustainability. From local recyclers to national logistics providers, our partners help us keep Portland green.
Meet Our Partners